Tag Archives: personal protective equipment

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing

PROTECTING YOURSELF WHILE WORKING (GUEST POST)

There are many kinds of jobs today that require safety. These kinds of jobs are usually the ones that are involved in commercial as well as industrial and construction sites. If you are working on a construction site then there are some certain things you should do in order to protect yourself from getting harmed or injured. Through this short article, you will read some safety tips that will help you through. 

Tip #1: Wear protective clothing and gear

It is very imperative that you wear the right kind of protective gear and clothing in order to protect yourself from those injuries. This is very important especially if you are going to work on a construction site. There are many falling debris and such that would actually cause you harm as well as injuries. There are different kinds of protective clothing and gear which you should wear like hardhats, thick gloves, and boots as well as clothing. These should be provided by the company you are working for. Make sure that your company will provide you such kind of protection. 

Tip #2: Insurance

It is very essential that your company will provide you full insurance coverage in case of accidents.  You never know just when an accident might occur. There are various kinds of insurance which your company must provide such as life insurance, accident coverage, as well as medical protection. With these, you are sure that you will get the protection as well as services you need in case something happened to you. Your family will also be safe and protected. 

Tip #3: Hazardous documents and license

If you are going to work on a power plant company or construction site, it is important that the company has all the important documents and papers showing that they have all the rights and authorization to hire such people to work for them. This is very important to ensure that you will be protected in case an accident occurs.

It also must have proper ways of handling those hazardous waste materials. Without this, then you are only putting yourself on the edge of an accident, health issues or worse, even death.

 It is very essential that you get to know more about the job you will take. The company must provide all the training and protection you need. This way, you will not only be able to stay productive for them but will also get the protection you need for yourself and for your family. 

Lance Rand is a freelance writer who writes various topics for different online clients. He also currently blogs for spicnspanplumbing.com.au –  a company that provides innovative emergency plumbing Sydney solutions.

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

HOT WORKS – SAFE WELDING OPERATIONS (GUEST POST)

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Sent by Jason of riskatmedia.com 

There are particular hazards associated with hot works, which includes welding activities, the use of oxy/gas equipment and acetylene, cutting operations and air-arc gouging. Each year over 1000 work related injuries to welders are reported to the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom.  Approximately 300 of these are major injuries, such as amputations and fractures.  Some of these injuries result from hazards that accompany almost all types of work activity, such as handling, slips and trips and being hit by a moving or falling object.  Others are more likely to be solely associated with welding activities, such as the intensity of electric arcs and high temperatures. 

Manual handling

Prior to carrying out any unavoidable manual handling activity, you should help to protect yourself from injury by following good manual handling practices. Consider the task to be carried out and the nature of the load, and be aware of your own capabilities and the environment in which you are working. In particular, portable welding equipment, gas cylinders and work pieces can be extremely heavy and you should give consideration to safe manual handling practices before undertaking any job that involves lifting these items. 

Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips can result from contamination, obstacles, inappropriate footwear, reduced visibility, the environment and people’s attitudes. Good housekeeping can significantly reduce the risk of serious slip and trip injuries. Containing spent rod ends and removing debris, slag, packaging and other waste materials to waste skips. You can also reduce the risk of slips and trips by properly routing any cables or air hoses that you use.

A safe place of work should be established to take into account the restricted visibility resulting from welders wearing protective head-shields. Consider whether the environment in which you will be working increases the risk of slips and trips and take responsibility for your own and your colleagues safety by appropriately containing any spills that you might discover. 

Moving or falling objects

Death or injury can result when large and heavy objects, such as gas cylinders used during welding operations, tip or fall because they have not been properly secured. Gas cylinders should always be secured by means of a chain, strap or cable to a building support, or proper cylinder cart. Bottle trolleys should also be covered when gas cylinders are moved short distances. 

Electrical Dangers

Electric shock from welding equipment can result in death or severe burns. Serious injury can result if the welder falls as a result of the shock. To prevent the risks posed by electrical hazards, all equipment should be tested and certified before use. Air pipe work should be checked to ensure that there is no electrical conductivity between the ends and the welding return cable should be connected as close as possible to the work piece. The electro-magnetic field produced by certain types of welding equipment may pose a risk to welders who have implantable medical devices fitted. Please make sure that you have informed your supervisor if you have an active implantable medical device, and talk to your doctor about the safety of using welding equipment in relation to your medical device. 

Fire and Explosion

Welding and allied processes produce molten metal, sparks, slag and hot work surfaces which pose a risk of fire and explosion, and which can result in fatalities, serious injury and plant damage. Flying sparks are the main cause of fire and explosion, especially as sparks can travel up to 10 metres from the work space. Sparks and molten metal can travel even greater distances when falling and can pass through and become lodged in cracks, clothing, pipe holes and other small openings. To reduce the risk of fire and explosion when carrying out Hot Works, a permit for work should be obtained before commencing work on any operational plant. Working areas and the areas below them should be kept free of combustible material. Fixed items of plant, such as installed electrical cables should be protected by a fire blanket. Sparks should be contained by means of a non-flammable material. Fire extinguishers should be close at hand, and the working area should be inspected when work is suspended to ensure there is no residual risk of fire or explosion. 

Oxy-Gas Equipment

Additional precautions are necessary when working with oxy-gas equipment. Gas bottles should be in an upright position, secured to prevent falling and located in an open aspect during use. The cylinder valves should be kept shut while hoses and equipment are being connected or disconnected. The requirement to fit flash back arrestors to both hoses is mandatory, but you should also ensure that you have enough gas in both cylinders to complete the job and that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper shut-down and start-up procedures for the equipment you are using to reduce the risk of flashbacks. The bottle key should be kept on the valves while equipment is in use to enable quick shut off in the event of an emergency. A fire watch should be maintained during operations.

All gas cylinders should be isolated when not in use to prevent oxygen or gas enrichment. And all operators should subject oxy-gas equipment to daily pre-use checks, such as leak detector spray or pressure drop tests. Contamination of gas cylinders by oil or grease should be avoided, as this may increase the risk of fire and explosion. Direct exposure to fire can initiate a heat generating decomposition reaction within acetylene gas leading to the potential for explosion. Any cylinders exposed to a fire should therefore be isolated for at least 48 hours, or until deemed safe. When not in use, gas cylinders should be stored in properly constructed and ventilated cages, with no source of ignition within three metres. 

Eye damage and burns

Most welding and related activities produce significant quantities of non-ionising radiation, such as visible light, ultraviolet and infra-red, which can cause eye damage and painful skin burns. The intensity and wavelength of energy produced depends on the process, welding parameters, electrode and base metal composition, fluxes, and any coatings or plating on the base material. Ultraviolet radiation increases approximately as the square of the welding current. Visible brightness or luminance of the arc increases at a much lower rate. Processes using argon produce larger amounts of ultraviolet radiation than those using most other shielding gases. The risk of injury to the operator resulting from exposure to non-ionising radiation can be reduced by decreasing the length of exposure, wearing a head shield and standard Personal Protective Equipment or PPE with gauntlets and Proban fire-retardant overalls. 

Welding Fumes

Many welding processes produce fumes which are potentially harmful. Depending on the materials involved, the ill effects can include irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory system, or more severe complications such as impairment of speech and movement. Symptoms of over-exposure to welding fumes may manifest immediately or some considerable time later. To reduce these risks, position the work area with an open aspect to minimise fume concentrations. Use forced ventilation where necessary and, in confined spaces, an air fed hood. Use a disposable mask appropriate to the type of fumes produced during work operations, and remember that respirators are mandatory for stainless steel welding. It is also important to refer to the relevant Hazardous Material Assessment which will outline additional safe working practices for the materials used. 

Work piece Stability

Where cutting operations are performed, it is always important to give consideration to the effect that these operations will have on the stability of the work piece. In particular, consideration should be given to weight distribution, as the removal of significant weights may alter the balance of the work piece. Where appropriate, the work piece should be supported. You should also plan how items that have been removed will be lowered without risk to yourself, to others who may be working nearby, or to equipment. 

Emergency procedures

In the event of an emergency, conduct an initial assessment of the situation. If you believe that the situation is beyond your control, evacuate the area immediately. Turn off all valves, but only if it is safe to do so. If the flame from a leak cannot be extinguished by turning off the valve, do not stay and attempt to fight the fire. Evacuate the area immediately. 

Guest post Riskatmedia Safety Training Videos

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

WORKING WITH ASBESTOS? READ THIS! (GUEST POST)

By Joe McRobert
 
Asbestos is known as the ‘hidden killer’; it is generally not in plain sight, for example, you would find it in walls and ceilings, and it can be very dangerous. It can cause a number of diseases that could potentially be fatal, including Mesothelioma and Asbestosis. These diseases can be caused if the asbestos fibres are inhaled. This is why you need to be fully equipped when you are working with it. It is not always easy to identify either, so this makes it even more dangerous.
 
So if you are already working with asbestos or you are going to be, then you need to have all of the equipment to make sure you are safe. Here is a list of the equipment you need to ensure you are fully protected from the hidden killer.
 
Overalls
You will need overalls to cover the clothing you are wearing otherwise your clothing will be exposed to the asbestos fibres; not only would this be dangerous for you, it can also be dangerous for others near you as they may also inhale the fibres. You need to make sure you are fully covered, so you should avoid tucking your overalls into your boots because dust could get into your boots and you should avoid wearing long-sleeved t-shirts because they are more difficult to cover. You should be supplied with disposable overalls. One thing you should always remember is to not take home the used overalls!
 
Respiratory Protective Equipment
If you are going to be working with asbestos, then this is one of the most important items that should be provided. The respiratory protective equipment will allow you to breathe without the risk of inhaling the asbestos fibres, however you should make sure it is fitted correctly. If it is not fitted correctly, then you could still be at risk of inhaling the deadly fibres; once you have properly fitted your protective mask, you should then put the hood of the overalls up to cover the straps of your mask.
 
Gloves
Another very important item that should be worn every time you are going to be dealing with asbestos is gloves. Disposable gloves are the best for dealing with asbestos because you can dispose of them as soon as you have finished you job.
 
Footwear
Boots are the best type of footwear you can wear when working with asbestos; however, you should avoid wearing laced boots because they are more difficult to clean. The laces on your boots will be exposed to the fibres and you could potentially spread asbestos fibres outside of the workplace. Just make sure your overalls go over the top of the boots to avoid any dust entering your footwear.
 
Protect yourself from the hidden killer and make sure you have everything you need to safely complete the job. Remember that working with asbestos is a dangerous job and you need to be careful. Once you have prepared yourself for the job, you should then make sure anyone you are working with is also prepared. However, if you are ever exposed to asbestos, then be sure to seek medical advice and contact a solicitor, for example Flint Bishop Solicitors, to guide you through your next steps.
 
About the Author: Joe is a business coach that works with small businesses to improve processes for handling health and safety among other things. He is a regular contributor at http://www.businesswinners.net. 
General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

WIERD WEATHER IN THE UNITED STATES!

As we say in Texas, “if you don’t like the weather, hang around for a while….. it’ll change!”  It’s either feast or famine, no happy in-between most of the time.  Last year, many parts of the Southwest experienced a drought they will never forget.  Tanks were dry, animals had to be sold due to a lack of both water and growth of food.  This year, thankfully, in many parts of Texas, rains have come pretty regularly and things have greened up better than usual.  However, we’re experiencing a pretty dry July, so we have much more heat ahead of us.  So, we continue to pray for rain. 

This year, wildfires have devastated Colorado, New Mexico, and other Southwestern states, as well as northern states, too.  People have lost their homes and everything they have.  Firefighters do everything they can to contain them; however, Mother Nature controls the winds and other conditions that make them hard to contain.

In the southeast, it’s the opposite: hurricanes develop in the states that border the Gulf Coast.  Much destruction has been experienced there, as well.  It is hard to stay dry in states that get a large accumulation of rain at one time.  Also, I’ve seen quite a few baseball games, and even the Olympic time trials in Oregon, where the rain had no mercy.  Times like that require some coverage – such as some new rain gear! 

It’s best to be prepared regardless  where we live.  Stay alert to weather forecasts by using your NOAA radio or other weather forecast systems.  There are several mobile apps that you can put on your cell phone free.  Have an emergency plan, just in case, along with a supply of water, non-perishable food, flashlight, cell phone, can opener, blankets, pet food, medicines and important papers you don’t want to lose.  Most things can be replaced, but we only get one time around in life.  

Our friends in other countries have certain weather conditions that we don’t have, so it is important that worldwide, we are ready when nature takes over.  Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and other devastating events have taken lives and greatly disrupted  normal ways of life.  Weather happenings are not of our making, so we must try to contend with them the best we can.  

Just remember, whatever type of work you do, there is some type of Home Safety Supplies that will be of great help to you when you must be outdoors.  You will notice that all rescue personnel wear their gear when they are carrying out their duties in times of emergencies, so let’s take advantage of the standard required protection, regardless of the weather, or other conditions.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE

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OSHA recently issued the Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry.  This is a directive that provides enforcement personnel with instructions for determining whether employers have complied with OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.  The directive was effective February 10, 2011.  Replacing Inspection Guidelines for 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, the revised PPE Standards for General Industry which were issued in June, 1995, the updated standards include clarifying what type of PPE employers must provide at no cost to workers, and when employers are required to pay for PPE.  It also provides guidance that lets employers use PPE that meets current consensus standards and updates PPE enforcement policies based on court and review commission standards. 

These standards require employers to provide – at no cost to workers – protective equipment, such as goggles and face shields that fit properly without restricting vision; earplugs and earmuffs when they will reduce noise to acceptable levels, and are less costly than administrative and engineering controls; and respirators to protect workers from exposure to air contaminants.  The directive lists PPE and other items exempted from the employer payment requirements and includes questions and answers useful in clarifying PPE payments concerns.  The guidance can be downloaded as a pdf by visiting OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics page on PPE.  

Workers are not always compliant.

Many companies have a problem with workers wearing the PPE that is furnished to them.  In a 2010 survey of safety professionals attending the American Society of Safety Engineers annual conference, an exceedingly high 98 per cent of respondents said they had observed workers not wearing safety equipment when they should have been.  Even worse, 30 per cent of these respondents said this had happened on several occasions.  All survey respondents reported that workers’ compliance with PPE protocols was cited as the top workplace safety issue.  These findings reflect the fact that safety decisions relating to PPE use are not just made at the management level.  Individual workers make decisions on a daily basis to whether to follow PPE wearing protocols or not.  

Most of the reasons for PPE noncompliance were different; however, the biggest complaint was that is was uncomfortable, selected by 40 per cent of respondents, in addition to:

  • Not available near the work task;
  • Poor fit;
  • Too hot;
  • Unattractive looking. 

No matter the reason for not complying with the safety policies of wearing PPE, there must be things leaders can do to encourage compliance.  Some of the ideas are: purchasing more comfortable PPE; increased monitoring of employees; incorporating compliance to individual performance evaluations; buying more stylish PPE; and developing incentive programs to encourage greater PPE compliance. 

One of the complaints was that PPE was  not always available near the work task.  There are many products that make it very convenient for the employee – hardhats that have slots to accommodate hearing protection, winter liners, neck protection, and even a pencil holder.  Glove Guards are easily hooked onto the belt loop to keep gloves ready for use.  So this is simply a matter of looking into the detailed features of some ppe products, and seeing exactly what they provide.

Personal protective equipment products have come a long way to ensure comfort and looks.  Polarized safety glasses are as stylish as those one would pay several times more in an optical store.  Gloves are made in all styles for men, and also designed to fit the smaller hands of women –  and are available in pink!  Team and patriotic hardhats ensure compliance for those workers who enjoy showing team support.  Those who make the choices on what’s right for their employees should shop around and see just what all is available for workers to help them feel good about their PPE, as well as knowing it will help keep them safe (when worn). 

Source: Kimberly Clark Professional

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing

DO YOU HAVE THE PERFECT “OUTFIT?”

Most of the time, when we get ready to go out, we (guys and gals) have to be certain that everything is pretty close to perfect……from  hair, clothes, shoes, the works, we want to look good!  How about your work?  Many jobs require wearing several different types of personal protective equipment, all at the same time!  What serves the workplace correctly must not interfere with ones’ ability to perform their job.  Do you have the correct “outfit” for your job? 

Personal protective equipment, or p.p.e., as it is called, may cover a worker from head to toe.  Construction workers may wear hardhats, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and other safety products.  Hospital employees not only wear scrubs or lab coats, but also may have to don face shields, goggles, safety glasses, and disposable medical gloves.  There are many types of p.p.e. that can accommodate one another.  Hardhats are made with slots that allow several other protective devices to attach to them, such as earmuffs, glasses, and even a pencil clip! 

For p.p.e. to be effective, workers must know that it is for their protection.  If it is uncomfortable or does not fit, they may not wear it.  Managers, who have employees’ safety in mind, must be a positive influence on their workers.  It is their responsibility to convey the importance of wearing the right p.p.e. that fits both the employee and the job.  They have prior experience and know the hazards of each particular job.  As well as enforcing safety, they must deal with issues, such as keeping up with OSHA guidelines, enforcing policies, and training workers in first aid and being prepared for workplace emergencies.   If industrial safety glasses are too big, they certainly aren’t going to protect the eyes.  (Hundreds of persons have had their eyes damaged seriously because they were not even wearing their safety glasses.)   If the hardhat doesn’t fit, it’s going to fall off and be of little use.  Not wearing p.p.e., or wearing it incorrectly can affect one’s health, quality,  and possibly duration of life. 

There are many kinds of p.p.e. that must be available at a moment’s notice.  Disposable clothing, for instance, may become soiled or damaged, and need to be replaced quickly, therefore, replacement supplies should be kept in stock.  Letting the workers make a personal choice of their p.p.e. could help ensure acceptance and compliance of safety policies.  Whatever it takes, the bottom line is the importance of personal protective equipment for the entire team – the managers, supervisors, and workers.  Each person is responsible for his own safety, but having good training and understanding of personal protective equipment and the role it plays in keeping each person safe is primary. 

You wouldn’t see a race car driver get into his vehicle without his entire suit of protective clothing, or a football or hockey player start to compete without first putting on those pads under their uniforms, so why should we begin our work without the right total “outfit?”

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

PPE: A Summary

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Last week, we covered different types of personal protective equipment and the applications for each.  With all of the technological advances and machinery used in today’s world, understanding and using proper PPE is more important than ever before.

In determining the proper PPE for industries, a walk-through survey should be done by employers to develop an organized safety program.  Both workplace physical and health hazards must be analyzed.  Employers then would determine what types of PPE would be needed.  It is suggested that a higher level of protection than the minimum be chosen to ensure employees are protected from hazards.  Written certification is required which includes the Hazard Assessment Date, Company Identification, and Name of the Document.

Personal Protective Equipment is available to protect you from such hazards as:
¨    Chemicals – Coveralls, Gloves, Face Shields, Goggles
¨    Heat/Cold- Gloves, Earmuffs,
¨    Biologic (blood, infected materials)-Lab Coats, Disposable Gloves, Coveralls
¨    Light Radiation-Safety Glasses, Goggles, Welding Hoods
¨    Harmful Dust-Respirators, Goggles, Side shields
¨    Sharp Objects-Cut Resistant Gloves
¨    Falling Objects-Hard Hats

Take the time to determine what hazards are present in your particular situation.  Once determined, take the steps to supply yourself and your employees with the needed equipment.

Source:
OSHA

General Safety Issues

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

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Work hazards exist in most professions.  Employers must provide as much administrative assistance and planning to eliminate these hazards as they can, by either work practice control (changing the way employees do their jobs) or engineering control (building barriers between hazards and workers, when possible).  When these measures aren’t enough, OSHA requires that employers provide their employees with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).  (Note:  Certain Standards of OSHA state that the employer must provide PPE at no cost to the employee, while others state only that the employer must provide PPE.) Examples of PPE are hardhats, respirators, full body suits, hearing protection devices, foot, hand, face and eye protection.

In several installments, we will share information with you to help you understand the basics of determining the proper types of PPE that will keep employees safe!  It is important that employers and employees:

  • Do a hazard assessment of their workplace
  • Be familiar with the different types of PPE
  • Train in proper wear and care of PPE
  • Select appropriate PPE for various circumstances
  • Report to supervisor when PPE needs to be replaced
  • Replace worn or damaged PPE

We hope to help you decide what products to furnish to ensure your safety!

Source:  OSHA, PPE 3151-12R